Should Oregon actively oppose Trump Administation policies?
Yes, at every opportunity
Yes, but only as appropriate
No, elections have consequences
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Oregon Conservative Caucus Dinner & Awards
Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Keynote: Steve Yates, CEO of DC International Advisor; Special Guest: Ray Hacke, Pacific Justice Institute; Live Music: Frank Carlson. Nonmember $112.75. www.oregonconservativecaucus.com
Columbia River Hotel, The Dalles.



OCL War Room
Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 8:30 am
Meet at Ike Box for training and updates on legislation. Send testimony, watch hearings, and visit capitol to testify. Legislators and special guests. Every Thursday 8:30am to 3:00pm to June 26
Ike Box, 299 Cottage St NE, Salem (upstairs)



Oregon Citizens Lobby War Room
Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 8:30 am
Meet at Ike Box for training and updates on legislation. Send testimony, watch hearings, and visit capitol to testify. Legislators and special guests. Every Thursday 8:30am to 3:00pm to June 26.
Ike Box, 299 Cottage St NE, Salem (upstairs)


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Oregon Direct Democracy: How it Started in Oregon
Facing a great deal of corruption in the political system, Oregon passed many reforms

Editor's note: This is the first of a multi-part series on direct democracy in Oregon

In The Oregon System by Allen H. Eaton, the author describes the political possibilities in Oregon:

"Of all the democracies in the world, the state of Oregon is the one in which the people can make or unmake at will any law, constitutional or statutory, elect or recall any official, -- in short, do anything in politics which they wish to do, for there is practically no limitation to their political powers."

During the late 19th century, facing a great deal of corruption in the political system, Oregon passed many reforms to its election system. Amazingly, it wasn't until 1891 that Oregon first passed a law requiring a secret ballot and almost equally amazingly, Oregon first passed a law requiring a system of voter registration in 1899.

On the heels of these reforms, in 1902 the Oregon Legislature passed and the people approved -- by a vote of 91% -- amendments to the Oregon Constitution allowing the initiative and referendum process, championed by Populist reformer William U’Ren. The first use of the initiative process was a measure passed in 1904 to create primary elections and end the practice of parties picking nominees through political conventions.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-08-13 20:34:01Last Update: 2021-08-13 17:14:31



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